CHARLIE MULGREW was left dazed and delirious following a sickening clash with Jamie MacDonald at the weekend.

The Celtic defender is hoping to avoid another painful experience as he gears up for tomorrow’s make-or-break head-on collision with Wales.

Mulgrew was left seeing stars and withdrawn before half-time after accidentally colliding with the Hearts keeper who left the field on a stretcher.

But while he was advised by SFA doctors to sit out Scotland’s training sessions at the start of the week as a precautionary measure the 26-year-old insists he is now fighting to take on the Welsh in Cardiff.

He said: “I felt dazed on Sunday but felt better on Monday.

“I don’t really remember that much about it as I was still dazed.

“A couple of the boys said I tried to sit down in the dugout but I don’t remember any of that.

“I just remember thinking to myself I had to get myself together and get back on the park. But I just felt I couldn’t play on.

“I spoke to Jamie 10 minutes after I showered and he was walking about fine.

“It did look quite serious for him and I feared the worst when I saw him go off on the stretcher. Thankfully he was okay.

“I thought you couldn’t play after a head knock but I was told I could be involved in the match with Wales which is great.

“You want to be involved in the big games. It is good times playing for my country and in the Champions League so long may it continue.”

Wales are arguably under more pressure than the Scots after losing their first two qualifying matches and defeat would spell the end for their chances of reaching Brazil in 2014.

Yet, if Scotland lose and are left with just two points from a possible nine Mulgrew is well aware how difficult it would be to stage a recovery.

Boss Craig Levein has rammed home that point in training all week.

And it has been taken firmly on board by a group of players keen to start making an impression on Group A.

The Welsh have still to register a point but with quality like Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale in their ranks Mulgrew admits it would be foolish to underestimate Chris Coleman’s men.

He said: “It is a massive game and the manager has made us aware of that in training.

“We will all be striving to get three points.

“Both teams need to win the match and both want to win the match.

“I don’t think it will put them under any more pressure with the fact they need to win.

“Hopefully, we will get the victory for our supporters.

“Our main focus is to get three points on Friday which would be a massive boost.

“We are not thinking too far ahead or looking at what other teams are doing or not doing in our group.

“It is up to us and it’s still in our hands so we are looking to put on a performance against Wales.

“They are a decent team and their players all play at a good level down south.

“Scotland are also full of top- class players and it is a boost having Darren Fletcher back in the squad because everyone respects him for what he has done in the game.

“It can only be a positive thing for the country seeing him back in the squad.

“However, it takes more than just top-class players to make up a team.

“Wales have a lot of team players so they will need to be watched as well.

“The Welsh have got some big characters and I am sure the manager will have watched them. We will be fully prepared for what they have in their ranks.”

Of course Bale is undoubtedly the star turn for Wales and if the Scots can find a way to keep the Spurs midfielder quiet then their chances of claiming all three points will significantly increase.

Mulgrew said: “He is a world-class player – he will be one we need to watch.

“His performance against Inter Milan in the Champions League last season just showed how good he is.

“He is very fast and causes teams a lot of problems so hopefully we can match him.”

Mulgrew will also be faced with the task of shackling Parkhead team-mates Joe Ledley and Adam Matthews.

He said: “It will be strange lining up against Joe and Adam – guys I play with every week if we get picked.

“I have had a bit of banter with Joe and Adam about the game.

“I probably won’t speak to them until we get back now though.

“All of us are professionals and we all want to do well for our countries.”

Mulgrew is expected to be given the nod to start at left-back against Wales although given his versatility, Levein could have a number of roles earmarked for him.

He added: “I don’t know where I will be playing.

“It is all down to wherever the manager wants to put me.

“I have not spoken too much to him about it.

“At the back is probably where I have more of a chance but I don’t know.

“I like to think it is an advantage that I can play a few positions and I am sure the manager is well aware of that.

“Whatever he has in mind, I am happy to do a job to the best of my ability.”